Can a Jeep Wrangler Tow a Boat? (Quick Answers)

The jeep wrangler is a car with massive power and known for its off-road capabilities. No matter whether you want to camp in the wild or need to cross an off-road area, a Jeep wrangler can be your best friend.

But when it comes to towing a boat, how does a Jeep Wrangler do? Can it tow bigger boats? This article will provide all the information about towing boats with jeep wranglers.

Can a jeep wrangler tow a boat?

A jeep wrangler can tow a boat, but you need to consider the towing capacity of the jeep. The four-door model of Jeep wrangler can tow boats under 3500 lbs, while two-door models can tow boats under 2000 lbs. Towing more than the capacity can damage your Jeep Wrangler.

Enjoying a weekend with friends and family on the boat is one of the happiest times of our life. Or you may like to float over a calm lake and fish. But the problem is, you can not make a home near the river to enjoy boating. Towing your boat with your car is an easy fix to the problem.

Usually, cars are not capable of towing stuff, but jeeps can handle it comfortably if it’s within their towing capacity. The jeep wrangler is one of the most popular types of jeeps and is even more popular among boat lovers for its towing features.

When you have a jeep wrangler and boat towed with it, you can go everywhere on the land and the seas. Well, towing may look simple, but there are many things you need to learn about it to do it safely.

Like every vehicle, the Jeep Wrangler has a towing capacity, and you should not tow heavier boats with Jeep Wrangler. The good thing is that most of the boats we use for personal use are small to medium, and the jeep wrangler can easily carry them behind.

There are some family-size boats for family recreation. 2 door jeep wranglers may not carry them if they are over 2000 lbs. However, if you have a 4 door jeep wrangler, you can easily tow bigger boats under 3500.

However, if your Jeep Wrangler’s capacity and weight of your boat match, one-fourth of your job are done. If you are thinking of buying a boat that you can tow with your Jeep Wrangler, you should do proper research before doing that. 

You should always use the top quality equipment to tow your boat. Also, ensure that your equipment is made for jeep towing. Contact your local car parts dealer to get the necessary equipment for boat towing.

Then prepare to do some research to learn all the information and steps of boat towing. The towing process is not complex, but you must be very careful, as a small mistake can cause an accident and ruin your weekend.

Driving a Jeep Wrangler is not the same as driving a boat towed Jeep Wrangler. You need to be extra careful on the road to avoid danger. If you are new to driving a towed vehicle, start slow and get used to the handling. 

If you find it tough, you can always get help from professionals who can help you to learn the towing system. Find out if those models can tow a boat.

2017 jeep wrangler:

The 2017 Jeep Wrangler can carry 2000-3500 Ibs boats comfortably.

2018 jeep wrangler: 

2018 Jeep wranglers can also have the capacity to carry 2000-3500 lbs boats.

Can a jeep wrangler unlimited tow a pontoon boat?

Jeep wrangler unlimited has the capability of towing boats under 3500 lbs. Pontoon boats can be 1500-2500 lbs. So, Jeep wrangler Unlimited can comfortably carry your boat with you. However, there are different platoon boats; some can weigh up to 5000 lbs (not so common).

Pontoon boats are typical recreational boats where you can have fun with your friends and family. Most pontoon boats can carry 8-12 people.

Towing more than capacity can cause different issues in your jeep, and you will also find it hard to drive as the jeep will not have enough power to carry that extra weight. However, you can tow an overweight pontoon boat with your Jeep wrangler if it’s a short distance. 

But it can be problematic for long distances or if you do it frequently. Also, remember the dry weight of a boat is lighter, but it will weigh more once you pull it from the water.

What boats can a Wrangler tow?

Many boasts fit into the 2000-3500 lbs weight zone. So there is a big list of boats that can be towed with Jeep Wrangler. Here is a list of popular boats that can be towed with Jeep Wrangler.

Ski Boats:

Ski boats can weigh about 1500 to 4000. So, if you are thinking of buying a boat to tow with your Wrangler, you should choose the suitable ones that your boat can carry. Ski boats are used for skiing and other recreational water activities.

Fishing Boats:

Wrangler tow can easily carry small fishing boats. Personal fishing boat weighs 600-2500 lbs. Heavier fishing boats are more convenient for fishing. Jeep Wrangler with two-door models should be able to carry most fishing boats. 

But if you want bigger boats, you will need a Jeep wrangler with four doors.

Pontoon Boats:

Pontoon boats are excellent for spending some recreational time with your loved ones. The good thing is most Pontoon boats weigh around 2000 lbs, so you can easily carry the boats with your Jeep Wrangler.

Watercrafts:

Watercraft are usually light and small. You can easily tow your watercraft with your Jeep Wrangler as they are generally 800-1000 pounds in weight. Watercraft is one of the common types of boats for recreational purposes.

Airboats:

Airboats are generally used in places with shallow water. Commonly airboats are around 2000 lbs, but there are heavier models of airboats. Make sure to know the weight of your airboat and determine if your Jeep Wrangler can carry it.

How big of A boat can a jeep wrangler tow?

Jeep Wrangler can carry small to mid-size boats. If you have a 4-door Jeep Wrangler, you can tow bigger boats. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited has a 3500 lbs towing capacity, so boats smaller than 3500 lbs should be ok for your jeep. A big boat is enough to carry over 10-12 people easily.

However, if you have a two-door Jeep Wrangler, you can tow 2000 lbs boats. So, if you are considering buying a boat, you should check your jeep’s bowing capacity and get a suitable one depending on your purpose.

When choosing a boat for towing, you also need to pay attention to the size of your boat. Too long boat models can be problematic when you tow it with your jeep. If the boat is long, there are more danger chances, and the handling will be tough.

How to tow a boat to jeep wrangler?

So, once you get the perfect boat for your Jeep Wrangler, it’s time to get prepared to learn about the towing steps and how you can tow and carry your boat safely. Every boat is different, and there are also differences in different models of Jeep Wrangler. 

You can find helpful information about towing in your jeeps and boat owner manuals. Also, keep in mind that some states have strict rules about towing. You may need a trailer with the barking system if you want to tow your boat with your jeep. 

A braking system makes the towing process a lot safer.

Do not compromise on the parts you need for bowing. You can get the parts for towing from your local car parts dealer. Follow the proper steps to set up the towing. After setting everything up, you will need to focus on driving safely. 

Here are some tips to drive your Jeep Wrangler with a boat towed.

Drive slow:

Towing makes your jeep more unstable and hard to control, so you must maintain a steady speed to play it safely. Do not exceed 105 km/h when you have the boat towed with your jeep.

Keep distance from other vehicles:

Maintain a good distance from other vehicles, as hard breaks may cause accidents.

Don’t take sharp turns:

When you need to turn, slow down. Turning too fast will put pressure on the towing system.

Final Thoughts 

You can tow most small to mid-sized boats with your jeep wrangler. There are Jeep Wranglers with two different towing capacities; 3500 lbs and 2000 lbs. If the boat is within your jeep towing capacity, you can tow it without any issue. Be careful and keep patience while driving with towing.